Next door to Shanze Hairdressers, at 88 High Street, Cafe Azrou puts its red table-clothed tables out the front in summer, when it counts as one of the better sites for organized loafing and people watching on the High Street. They open their shop-front and out on such halcyon days and also sell ice-cream scoops.

In colder times, Cafe Azrou stands or falls on the range and quality of its food and drinks, its bright open windows and the wicker, upholstered chairs and stylish tiled tables. The walls are adorned with a number of large framed American photographic posters films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Godfather. Beneath these linger a varied group of customers imbibing tea (80p), espresso (1.00p), cappucino (1.20p), macchiato (1.00p), Latte (1.70p), Hot Chocolate (1.70p)and their own delicious Azrou Coffee (1.20). There are reductions for take-aways.

Azrou opens from 8.00am to 7.00pm every day of the week. The food is not based on fry-ups, being aimed at a healthier eating public. (I did however recently spot a breakfast specials sign that advertised Egg, Sausage, Chips, Beans and Tea for three pound fifty and a cheese or mushroom omlette, toast and tea for three pounds.)

As snacks, as well as on the ubiquitous panini, (which can even be bought at Percy Ingle over the road) and cibatta, they offer also offer foccacia with fillings of tuna melt, grilled veg or greek salad at two-pounds forty and chicken escallop, smoked salmon, slalami or feta cheese salad at two pounds sixty.

They also offer sandwiches, smoothies, and jacket potatoes. Most items are about forty pence cheaper as eat-outs.

They have more substantial specials, such as Moroccan Chicken, stuffed aubergine, home made lasagne and meat balls and rice. These are in the four to four pound fifty range. Salads are available.

At present they do not open in the evenings, but I understand that the Moroccan owner is interested in extending his opening hours to join the very few places in this part of Walthamstow worth thinking about for an evening meal. He has recently re-arranged the layout so the counter is towards the front of the shop. Tel: 0208 520 0702